Seven members of a notorious gang have been jailed for a total of 37 years for their involvement in a drugs plot. Fifteen defendants – including nine men and one woman from North Staffordshire – were involved in the conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis across Stoke-on-Trent between August 1, 2019 and January 16, 2020.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the ‘County Lines’ operation involved drug users in the Potteries contacting the ‘Scouse Chris’ drugs line and ordering drugs. The line was operated from Liverpool and drugs were transported from Merseyside to Stoke-on-Trent.
A vehicle was stopped on August 30, 2019 and police recovered 10 grams of heroin and 10 grams of cocaine. Police identified 132 journeys made from Liverpool to Stoke-on-Trent during the conspiracy with Judge Graeme Smith estimating that at least one kilogram of class A drugs would have been brought to the Potteries during the five-and-a-half month period.
Before passing sentence, Judge Smith said: “Drugs ruin lives. They ruin the lives of those who use them and become addicted to them. They cause physical and mental health problems. They often lead to a loss of employment and the breakdown of personal relationships.
“That can often lead to a loss of accommodation and street homelessness. They also ruin the lives of the families of those who become addicted and have a significant impact on the lives of other members of the community. Drug addictions lead to acquisitive crime to fund addictions and crime committed when people are under the influence of drugs.
“Your need for drugs and money to fund a drug addiction was a factor in you becoming involved in the conspiracy. Many of you have been able to stop and reduce your reliance on drugs and turn your lives around.”
The judge added that he took into account the significant delay in the case when passing sentence.
The defendants jailed were:
Daniel Herrity, aged 33, of Delagoa Road, Liverpool, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin and conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine.
Sean Boyle, aged 33, of Karonga Road, Liverpool, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin and conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine.
Owen Doherty, aged 33, of Ripon Street, Liverpool, was jailed for six years, seven months, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin and conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine.
Daniel Tew, aged 40, of Park Avenue, Wolstanton, was jailed for five years, three months, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin, conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine, and conspiracy to supply class B cannabis.
John Roberts, aged 34, of Stuart Road, Walton, Liverpool, was jailed for five-and-a-half years after being convicted after trial of conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin and conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Aaron Dawkins, aged 34, of Hempstalls Lane, Newcastle, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after he was convicted after trial of conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin and conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine. He pleaded guilty to production of class B drug hemp.
Jordan Smith, aged 29, of Pepper Street, Silverdale, was jailed for two years, two months, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin; conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine; conspiracy to supply class B drug cannabis and possession of a bladed article.
Simon Rushton, aged 39, of Tillett Green, Meir, was sentenced to 23 months, suspended for two years, with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days and a 12 month mental health treatment requirement after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin and conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine.
Ryan Baxter, aged 26, of Chester Street, Chester, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with a six month drug rehabilitation requirement and 120 hours unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
Joshua Rorbach-Pointon, aged 32, of St Bernard’s Road, Knutton, was handed a 12 month community order with a six month drug rehabilitation requirement and 100 hours unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drug cannabis.
Daniel Ludden, aged 31, of St Patrick’s Drive, Newcastle, was handed a 12 month community order with a nine month drug rehabilitation requirement, a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days and 75 hours unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drug cannabis.
William Muncey, aged 25, of Anchor Road, Longton, was handed a 12 month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 15 days and 50 hours unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drug cannabis.
Sharon Orr, aged 38, of South Walk, Meir, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin and conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine, was not at court as she is in hospital. Her case was adjourned.
Daniel Askey, aged 33, of Edge Street, Burslem, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin, conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine, and possession of a bladed article; and Jonathan Dickens, aged 47, of May Street, Burslem, who was convicted after a trial of conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin and conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine, failed to attend court. Police are actively looking for both men.
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